Food Safety Lead in Kendal

Join one of Europe’s fastest-growing nutrition companies. Kendal Nutricare creates world-class nutrition for every stage of life, from Kendamil infant and toddler formula to Kendalife adult nutrition. We’re a family-owned, purpose-driven business with big global ambitions. In 2025, we were ranked the UK’s fastest-growing food and drink company, with Kendamil now one of the fastest-growing baby brands in the world, the No.1 Organic formula in both the UK and the USA, and available in 40+ countries. As the only British infant formula manufacturer, we’re proud to produce our award-winning products in the UK using British full-cream milk, with no palm oil or unnecessary additives. We’re on an exciting path – join us as the Food Safety Lead at Kendal site.

As the Food Safety Lead at our Kendal site, you will play a key role in maintaining and continuously improving the site’s Food Safety Management System (FSMS) in line with UK, EU, and FDA standards. You will ensure robust compliance for both domestic and export markets — with particular focus on U.S. FDA and FSMA requirements for infant formula — while leading validation activities and fostering a strong culture of food safety across the site.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of the site’s FSMS in line with HACCP principles and international standards for infant formula.
• Monitor and review programs to ensure full compliance with UK, EU, and FDA regulations.
• Conduct internal audits, inspections, and risk assessments to proactively identify and mitigate food safety risks.
• Serve as the site’s expert on FDA and PCQI regulations to maintain export readiness to the United States.
• Manage all food safety documentation and processes required for FDA and FSMA compliance.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs to ensure alignment with evolving U.S. regulatory requirements.
• Lead the development, execution, and documentation of validation activities across the FSMS, including: Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems; allergen cleaning and control; and thermal process validations (e.g., pasteurisation, UHT).
• Maintain validation master plans, protocols, and reports, ensuring timely review and revalidation where required.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical support to food safety and hygiene teams.
• Deliver training on food safety, allergen management, validation protocols, and FDA compliance.
• Foster a proactive, site-wide food safety culture through education and engagement.
• Analyse food safety performance data and lead root cause investigations; drive continuous improvement and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
• Identify opportunities to strengthen food safety systems, validation, and regulatory readiness; monitor and review programs for UK, EU, and FDA compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Food Technology, or a related discipline.
• Formal qualifications in HACCP, PCQI, and/or food safety auditing.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in food safety or quality within a food manufacturing environment — ideally in infant formula or high-care dairy.
• Strong knowledge of FDA regulations, PCQI responsibilities, and U.S. export compliance.
• Demonstrated success in leading validation programs (cleaning, allergen, and thermal processes).
• In-depth understanding of FSMS principles, food microbiology, allergen management, and hygienic design.
• Skilled in validation lifecycle management — from protocol design to data interpretation.
• Knowledge of BRC, ISO 22000, Codex Alimentarius, and CFR Title 21.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence across teams.
• Lead Auditor qualification would be an advantage.

Benefits

• The opportunity to work for the fastest growing infant milk brand in Europe, alongside a young, talented team.
• 33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays), pro rata to start date and FTE.
• Pension scheme by Aegon, with employer contributions matched up to 5%.
• Free private health care plan and Free Gym Membership.
• Life Assurance at 2x basic salary after 6 months of service.
• EAP Programme and support for new parents (up to £350 worth of Kendamil products).